Missing vulture Arthur still missing despite numerous 'sightings' over a large area

A vulture that went missing after being blown away from a countryside show in Somerset last week is still at large.

Sightings of the 11-year-old bird of prey, named Arthur, have been reported across a fifty-mile area after he flew away while taking part in the opening day of the Royal Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet.

The white-headed vulture’s owner, Birds of Prey Displays, is asking anyone who sees the bird not to approach him but to contact them instead.

He’s a 12lb vulture with a six foot wingspan – you can’t miss himBen Potter, of Birds of Prey Displays

“He’s a 12lb vulture with a six foot wingspan – you can’t miss him,” said Ben Potter, from the company.

He described Arthur as a “massive great big glove puppet of a vulture” that should be easy to spot.

“He will make himself really obvious to people because he knows people are part of his life so he will be quite visual.

Since he went missing on Wednesday June 1, Arthur has been reportedly sighted in a field in Castle Cary, as well as flying over Sparkford, where he was apparently being “harassed by two rooks”, as well as in Devizes in neighbouring Wiltshire, where he startled a driver.

“If you see it give me a call and I’ll come and get it,” said Mr Potter.

“The only thing I do ask is that people don’t go to him.

“Not because he’s dangerous – mainly because he’ll be spooked and keep moving and moving and moving.”

It has been an unlucky year for bird-related features the Bath and West show.

Organisers announced last week that up to 1,200 birds had been removed due an outbreak of infectious bronchitis, meaning the poultry competition had to be called off.